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| Ditched helicopter inquiry begins | |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| An inquiry into the ditching of a North Sea helicopter is under way after the last of the 18 people on board returned safely to shore. | |
| All those on board were rescued from life rafts. | |
| Three people who were flown to hospital have since been discharged. The other 15 returned to Aberdeen on Thursday. | |
| Workers on the BP oil platform which had been the flight's destination saw the aircraft ditch 125 miles east of Aberdeen on Wednesday evening. | |
| Air accident investigators have launched an inquiry into the cause. | |
| The Super Puma became overturned on ThursdayEnlarge Image | |
| Rescuers said the helicopter's tail boom was missing. | Rescuers said the helicopter's tail boom was missing. |
| Asked whether the tail may have come off before or after the helicopter ditched, the managing director of BP North Sea, Bernard Looney, told BBC News it was too early to speculate. | |
| He added: "Our priority up until this point has been to ensure that all those who have been involved in this incident are properly cared for. | |
| "Now those individuals have returned safely to Aberdeen, we can turn our attention to finding out exactly what happened. | "Now those individuals have returned safely to Aberdeen, we can turn our attention to finding out exactly what happened. |
| "We will be co-operating fully with the Air Accidents Investigation Branch, Bond Helicopters and local agencies as they work to establish the cause of the accident." | "We will be co-operating fully with the Air Accidents Investigation Branch, Bond Helicopters and local agencies as they work to establish the cause of the accident." |
| He added: "Our safety and emergency response systems worked well and our thanks go to the Coastgaurd, RAF Kinloss and Grampian Police who provided tremendous support to BP." | He added: "Our safety and emergency response systems worked well and our thanks go to the Coastgaurd, RAF Kinloss and Grampian Police who provided tremendous support to BP." |
| Squadron Leader Barry Neilson, of RAF Kinloss, told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme: "The aircraft that had ditched was sitting upright on the water, although the tail boom was missing, and the crew and passengers had managed to evacuate the aircraft very successfully and were in their dinghies. | Squadron Leader Barry Neilson, of RAF Kinloss, told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme: "The aircraft that had ditched was sitting upright on the water, although the tail boom was missing, and the crew and passengers had managed to evacuate the aircraft very successfully and were in their dinghies. |
| "It was very foggy out there and the first aircraft to arrive on the scene, the BP aircraft, had some difficulty letting down to the surface but succeeded, and lifted three of the crew out of the dinghy." | "It was very foggy out there and the first aircraft to arrive on the scene, the BP aircraft, had some difficulty letting down to the surface but succeeded, and lifted three of the crew out of the dinghy." |
| He said an RAF Nimrod helped to keep the rescue helicopters apart. | He said an RAF Nimrod helped to keep the rescue helicopters apart. |
| "The last thing we wanted to do was to have two of our search and rescue helicopters collide over the one already in the water," he said. | "The last thing we wanted to do was to have two of our search and rescue helicopters collide over the one already in the water," he said. |
| The Super Puma shuttle came down near the platform in the Etap field. | The Super Puma shuttle came down near the platform in the Etap field. |
| SUPER PUMA EC225 Five-bladed helicopter used by more than 1,000 civil operators and 37 militaries around the worldCapacity: up to 24 passengersCrew: 2Max. speed: 174 mphRange: 519 miles | SUPER PUMA EC225 Five-bladed helicopter used by more than 1,000 civil operators and 37 militaries around the worldCapacity: up to 24 passengersCrew: 2Max. speed: 174 mphRange: 519 miles |
| The coastguard said there were no serious injuries, but some of those involved had suffered minor injuries, described as walking wounded. | |
| The remaining survivors arrived back at Aberdeen harbour's Albert Quay on the Caledonia Victory at 0555 GMT on Thursday. | The remaining survivors arrived back at Aberdeen harbour's Albert Quay on the Caledonia Victory at 0555 GMT on Thursday. |
| The Air Accidents Investigation Branch said it was sending nine people to Aberdeen to investigate Wednesday night's accident. | |
| British military spokesman James Lyne, from the RAF base at Kinloss, said the helicopter had landed upright and floated due to flotation bags which inflated when it landed on water. | British military spokesman James Lyne, from the RAF base at Kinloss, said the helicopter had landed upright and floated due to flotation bags which inflated when it landed on water. |
| The passengers escaped into three rubber dinghies equipped with locator beacons, which were detected by satellites enabling rescuers to pinpoint their exact position. | The passengers escaped into three rubber dinghies equipped with locator beacons, which were detected by satellites enabling rescuers to pinpoint their exact position. |
| Four helicopters, including three in-field aircraft and a Sea King from RAF Lossiemouth, took part in the rescue. | Four helicopters, including three in-field aircraft and a Sea King from RAF Lossiemouth, took part in the rescue. |
| Three of the passengers were winched to safety by one of the helicopters and the other 15 were recovered by one of the rescue craft. | Three of the passengers were winched to safety by one of the helicopters and the other 15 were recovered by one of the rescue craft. |
| Fred Kagel, from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, said the accident was reported by people on the platform. | Fred Kagel, from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, said the accident was reported by people on the platform. |
| "They reported that they'd seen a helicopter ditch into the sea [and] seeing life-jacket lights and also three flares that had been fired from a direction south and east of the platform - and the helicopter fuselage was also seen on the surface. | "They reported that they'd seen a helicopter ditch into the sea [and] seeing life-jacket lights and also three flares that had been fired from a direction south and east of the platform - and the helicopter fuselage was also seen on the surface. |
| "So this incident sort of gives a remarkable similarity to the aircraft that landed on the Hudson river." | "So this incident sort of gives a remarkable similarity to the aircraft that landed on the Hudson river." |
| Michael Coull, from Aberdeen Coastguard, said it had been an extremely unusual event. | |
| "It has happened in the past, aircraft have ditched in the North Sea, but it is very rare given the number of flights that take place on a daily basis." | "It has happened in the past, aircraft have ditched in the North Sea, but it is very rare given the number of flights that take place on a daily basis." |
| YOUR COMMENTS | YOUR COMMENTS |
| I'm glad it went well! I'm on the "Skandi Caledonia" berthed in Aberdeen. About 1 hour ago the "Caledonia Victory" arrived with the survivors from the heli accident. The police, ambulances, the press and a bus is set up on the quayside. We listened in on the VHF radios last night. We are glad it all went well! The RAF are truly angels!Morgan, Bergen | I'm glad it went well! I'm on the "Skandi Caledonia" berthed in Aberdeen. About 1 hour ago the "Caledonia Victory" arrived with the survivors from the heli accident. The police, ambulances, the press and a bus is set up on the quayside. We listened in on the VHF radios last night. We are glad it all went well! The RAF are truly angels!Morgan, Bergen |
| Every four years I have to go on a course to train in escape from Helicopters that have capsized when they have ditched in the water. When I go offshore I am dressed in a survival dry suit with a thermal liner. We have been flying helicopter to offshore platforms since the mid 60's with little improvement in their safety. If it is necessary to send people on course and near drown them and then dress them in survival suits to travel in these machines there is some thing wrong with this mode of transport!Edmund Fitch, Lewes, England | Every four years I have to go on a course to train in escape from Helicopters that have capsized when they have ditched in the water. When I go offshore I am dressed in a survival dry suit with a thermal liner. We have been flying helicopter to offshore platforms since the mid 60's with little improvement in their safety. If it is necessary to send people on course and near drown them and then dress them in survival suits to travel in these machines there is some thing wrong with this mode of transport!Edmund Fitch, Lewes, England |
| Working in the offshore industry I have worked on the ETAP platform. This reminds us how sensible it is that we must watch a helicopter/personal safety equipment video every single time we are about to board a chopper. Well done to pilots and passengers involved.Gordon Mackay, Aberdeen | Working in the offshore industry I have worked on the ETAP platform. This reminds us how sensible it is that we must watch a helicopter/personal safety equipment video every single time we are about to board a chopper. Well done to pilots and passengers involved.Gordon Mackay, Aberdeen |
| For 3 years my dad has been working offshore, taking helicopters almost every 2 weeks. I do worry each time he has to make a heli trip, but now that safety has increased I am more at ease. This latest happening highlights the increased safety and the experience of the pilots that are making these daily trips, and also the fast actions of the surrounding rigs and the RAF & Coastguard. Safety procedures these days really have been stepped up. Sharon, Aberdeen | For 3 years my dad has been working offshore, taking helicopters almost every 2 weeks. I do worry each time he has to make a heli trip, but now that safety has increased I am more at ease. This latest happening highlights the increased safety and the experience of the pilots that are making these daily trips, and also the fast actions of the surrounding rigs and the RAF & Coastguard. Safety procedures these days really have been stepped up. Sharon, Aberdeen |
| I guess I feel some worry, but also some comfort in this story. My husband works in the North Sea and travels via helicopter to and from his work. Knowing that capable pilots, proper training and quick response time, saved 18 lives today! From thousands of miles away I have found comfort in knowing that my husband is well trained as are those who transport him to and from work. So glad to hear all are well!Mary Ann Cameron, Sherbrooke, Nova Scotia Canada | I guess I feel some worry, but also some comfort in this story. My husband works in the North Sea and travels via helicopter to and from his work. Knowing that capable pilots, proper training and quick response time, saved 18 lives today! From thousands of miles away I have found comfort in knowing that my husband is well trained as are those who transport him to and from work. So glad to hear all are well!Mary Ann Cameron, Sherbrooke, Nova Scotia Canada |
| I flew often to offshore installations as a drilling engineer/supervisor, and was always scared of the flight. Helicopters are by far the best way to transport workers, but is it the safest? Dr Scott Campbell, Edinburgh, Scotland | I flew often to offshore installations as a drilling engineer/supervisor, and was always scared of the flight. Helicopters are by far the best way to transport workers, but is it the safest? Dr Scott Campbell, Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Very well done to all rescue personnel involved!!! My husband works offshore and i worry about him constantly! the chopper pilots are highly trained and very highly skilled individuals. i wish all 18 men a very speedy recovery from want must have been a very scary and traumatising event. thank god you are all alive and well. again well done to all rescue personnel, it makes me personally, being an offshore wife, feel better knowing that our men and indeed women are in goods hands should this type of accident happen again (god forbid!) god bless all concerned in what could have been a very tragic accident. Mrs Mack, Tain | Very well done to all rescue personnel involved!!! My husband works offshore and i worry about him constantly! the chopper pilots are highly trained and very highly skilled individuals. i wish all 18 men a very speedy recovery from want must have been a very scary and traumatising event. thank god you are all alive and well. again well done to all rescue personnel, it makes me personally, being an offshore wife, feel better knowing that our men and indeed women are in goods hands should this type of accident happen again (god forbid!) god bless all concerned in what could have been a very tragic accident. Mrs Mack, Tain |
| My cousin flies helicopters based in Aberdeen to the rigs. I don't know if he is involved, but I am so relieved to hear that all involved are rescued. Anne Burke, Orange Park, Florida, USA | My cousin flies helicopters based in Aberdeen to the rigs. I don't know if he is involved, but I am so relieved to hear that all involved are rescued. Anne Burke, Orange Park, Florida, USA |
| Have a son who works on one of the platforms in the north sea and travels regularly on these helicopters. Was shocked to hear of the accident, but though we have not yet heard from our son, those involved are all safe. Well done on the reporting.Mike Hayes, Auckland, New Zealand | Have a son who works on one of the platforms in the north sea and travels regularly on these helicopters. Was shocked to hear of the accident, but though we have not yet heard from our son, those involved are all safe. Well done on the reporting.Mike Hayes, Auckland, New Zealand |
| Absolute fear was my reaction and lots of praying for the men involved. I was so happy that they are all safe and rescued. The efforts of rescue teams was incredible and I am also sure the helicopter crew did a fantastic job when they had to ditch. My son works offshore and he is proud to be part of the big family of offshore workers. Our family wish all the men a speedy recovery and I am so glad my prayers were answered. Maureen Melki, Glasgow, Scotland | Absolute fear was my reaction and lots of praying for the men involved. I was so happy that they are all safe and rescued. The efforts of rescue teams was incredible and I am also sure the helicopter crew did a fantastic job when they had to ditch. My son works offshore and he is proud to be part of the big family of offshore workers. Our family wish all the men a speedy recovery and I am so glad my prayers were answered. Maureen Melki, Glasgow, Scotland |
| My husband is on a tanker just off the Aberdeen coast. All phone lines are down as he can't get through, he keeps ringing but no connection. Quite frightening to know that a helicopter he goes on has been downed. But relieved to hear that everyone is fine...that's down to the survival course they all have to go on. Elain Barbet, Biggleswade Bedfordshire | My husband is on a tanker just off the Aberdeen coast. All phone lines are down as he can't get through, he keeps ringing but no connection. Quite frightening to know that a helicopter he goes on has been downed. But relieved to hear that everyone is fine...that's down to the survival course they all have to go on. Elain Barbet, Biggleswade Bedfordshire |
| Have you or anyone you know been affected by this story? Are you in the Aberdeen coastal area? Send us your comments using the form below. | Have you or anyone you know been affected by this story? Are you in the Aberdeen coastal area? Send us your comments using the form below. |
| In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |